Hearing God?
How do we know if we’re hearing from God as individuals? First, does what we think we are hearing line up with Scripture as a whole? We must frequently read and understand Scripture and its plain meaning in the context of community as often as possible in order to claim any understanding of it. But God will not contradict what He has said before. Contrary to increasingly popular belief He never has contradicted Himself within the context of Scripture or history.
Thus we must not say, “God told me to leave my spouse for someone else.” That would clearly be a contradiction of God’s revealed will in Scripture. We need Scripture of course, because our own ability to discern God’s voice is greatly limited and can easily get off course without it. As a pastor I often find myself encouraging people to go directly to the person they are offended with and work out the problem just between the two of them. But the response I sometimes get is, “I feel like God is telling me not to talk to that person anymore.” Or a flat refusal to go to the person but a great readiness to talk about that person with others, especially me, in order to get affirmation that the other person is in the wrong. When Jesus commands His disciples to “go and show him his fault, just between the two of you…” (Matthew 18:15 New International Version) it is not a nice suggestion. To do otherwise destroys community and yet it is practiced all too frequently. I’m certain there are many such things that could be used as examples.
But what happens when something doesn’t seem to be addressed directly in Scripture? We use Scriptural principles to make such a decision. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” (Leviticus 19:18 NIV) is a golden principle to use for instance. But we must also check what we think we may be hearing from God in community – that is with other Christians – too see if they affirm what we think we are hearing. It might be good to say something like, “I believe that God is saying…what do you think?”
Some would suggest this is a lack of faith, but it seems clear that such a check demonstrates humility and a willingness to be sharpened on something by other folks who we trust are also considering God’s Word and will.
Finally, we must consider circumstances as an affirmation of whether or not we have heard accurately the voice of God. If a believer makes a predictive prophecy for instance, which is certainly a possibility within the bounds of Scriptural revelation from the past, there is a simple test: if it comes true it is from God. If it does not, then it is not from God. (See Deuteronomy 18:22) Such an inaccuracy should at least be acknowledged and more caution and humility used in the future before that person is given opportunity to do so again.
What if I become afraid because of a word that I’m sensing could be from God? What kind of fear is it? Is it a fear of God that leads to repentance and life or a phobia of some ill omen? Remember that godly sorrow leads to repentance and worldly sorrow leaves regret that brings death. Conviction will be freeing and help us to change in fruitful ways, but condemnation will keep us in a general feeling of worthlessness and unfruitfulness/death.
But what if a word takes away my sense of happiness? Some would call this the test of “peace”; in other words when I say I’m at peace about it that really just means I feel pleasure in it. Some would say this is the ultimate test to see if something is from God. But I would suggest this is not a good test. I person can feel such “peace” about leaving their husband or going back on their word because it’s easier for instance. A good peace test would be whether it causes quarreling and strife between people within Christian community. Scriptural peace, that is shalom, brings wholeness to community not just a feeling of tranquility and pleasure to an individual at the expense of others. If that kind of “peace” was the bottom line test, then we may as well all start smoking marijuana or even more effective would be shooting heroin because that would solve all such problems. Shalom, rather, brings peace between peoples and bears righteous fruit for all involved.
Mental illness or having an overactive imagination can also be a factor in folks thinking they are hearing from God when they are not. For any person fears and strong wishes can be confused for God’s voice. But for some folks it is very difficult to be able to discern reality from fantasy, but all the same tests can be used (Scripture in context, community is vital! and circumstance) to come back to a place of rationality.
All that said, yes, God can and does speak to His people. Are we listening? Are we too quick to think it is God? To slow to believe that He could? We must always remember it comes through the filter of our minds and hearts, which interprets what we perceive. We must always carry such things with humility, wisdom and above all, with love.
(Next time we’ll look at the new reformation)